The Man who would be PM

The Right Honourable Dr James Gordon Brown, MP

Widely tipped to become Labour Leader and UK Prime Minister after the retirement of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown is the longest continuously-serving Chancellor of the Exchequer since Nicholas Vansittart (1812-1823). Only William Gladstone has served longer in the office. Gordon Brown was appointed on 2 May 1997. David Lloyd George previously held the the twentieth century record - he was in office for a total of seven years and two months between 1908 and 1915. In the nineteenth century, William Gladstone was Chancellor for a total of 12 years and four months between 1852 and 1882.

Brown dominates the domestic political agenda like few previous holders of that office. The ultimate prize of Number 10 continues to elude him but with Tony Blair expected to stand down before the next election, it is closer than ever. There are few other contenders that could command the same level of support within the Labour Party.

A Labour activist since his teenage years, Brown obtained a first class degree in History from Edinburgh University and worked in television before entering parliament in 1983, along with Tony Blair.

He shared an office with his younger colleague and the pair's sometimes stormy relationship was the driving force behind the modernisation of their party and the creation of New Labour.

Brown's first and arguably boldest move as chancellor in 1997 was to hand control of interest rates to the Bank of England. His early period in office was characterised by fiscal prudence, but he went on to put up taxes in order to pay for increased investment in the NHS.

His stewardship of the economy, which has seen low interest rates and falling unemployment, took centre stage during the recent election campaign.

His frequent appearances alongside Blair at campaign events led to speculation that preparations for the smooth handover of power were already under way - but both sides have denied the existence of a deal or "gentleman's agreement".

Biography of The Right Honourable Dr James Gordon Brown, MP
Chancellor of the Exchequer
James Gordon Brown was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer on 2 May 1997. He has been MP for Dunfermline East since 1983 and was Opposition spokesperson on Treasury and Economic Affairs (Shadow Chancellor) from 1992.

Brown was born on 20 February 1951 and educated at Kirkcaldy High School and while at school he suffered a detached retina in a rugby accident, so his left eye is now made of glass. At Edinburgh University he gained 1st Class Honours in History and then a Doctorate on the radical Labour Party politician, James Maxton. He was Rector of Edinburgh University and Chairman of the University Court between 1972 and 1975, while still a student. From 1976 to 1980, Brown lectured at Edinburgh University and then Caledonian University (then known as the Glasgow College of Technology) before working as a journalist at Scottish Television (1980-3).

After becoming an MP, Brown was the Chair of the Labour Party Scottish Council (1983-4). Before becoming Shadow Chancellor he held two other senior posts on the Opposition front bench - Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1987-9) and Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary (1989-92).

Brown has had a number of works published including Maxton, The Politics of Nationalism and Devolution, New Scotland, New Britain and Where There is Greed: Margaret Thatcher and the betrayal of Britain's future. He has edited a number of books including John Smith: Life and Soul of the Party and Values, Visions and Voices: An Anthology of Socialism.

Outside of work, Brown's interests include football (Raith Rovers F.C. supporter since childhood), tennis and film. Brown married Sarah Macaulay at his home in North Queensferry, Fife, on 3 August 2000 after a four-year courtship. Mrs Brown is a public relations executive and was, until 2001, Chief Executive of Hobsbawm Macaulay, the consultancy firm she owned with Julia Hobsbawm. On 28 December 2001, a daughter, Jennifer Jane, was born prematurely; she died on 8 January 2002 of a brain haemorrhage. Their second child, a son, John, was born on 17 October 2003. In January 2006 it was announced that they were expecting a third child in July.

Biographies
Peston, Robert (2005). Brown's Britain: How Gordon Runs the Show. Short Books. ISBN 1904095674.
Bower, Tom (2003). Gordon Brown. HarperCollins. ISBN 000717540X.
Keegan, William (2003). The Prudence of Mr Gordon Brown. John Wiley. ISBN 0470846976.
Naughtie, James (2001). The Rivals: The Intimate Story of a Political Marriage. Fourth Estate. ISBN 1841154733.
Routledge, Paul (1998). Gordon Brown: The Biography. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0684819546.
Speeches 1997-2006, to be published by Bloomsbury in September 2006.